Trump in Japan as Asia trip begins

A rear admiral on the Joint Staff responded on behalf of the Defence Department, and said the amount of casualties would differ depending on the advance warning and the ability of US and South Korea forces to counter North Korean attacks. The two leaders, who have struck up an unlikely but easy rapport, shared a casual lunch and played nine holes at the Kasumigaseki Country Club, joined by professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama.

After easing into his Asian debut with golf, President Donald Trump sat down for a meal of American beef and tomato sauce with the Japanese president.

Aerial drills conducted over South Korea by two US strategic bombers have raised tensions in recent days.

Meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe come against a backdrop of heightened tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests. The two men also met on the sidelines of an global summit in Italy this spring and Trump hosted Abe in Florida.

Eager to forge a bond with Tokyo's crucial ally, Abe was one of the first world leaders to court President-elect Trump. Abe has pushed for stronger United Nations sanctions on North Korea, and joined Trump in saying China should do more to pressure its neighbour.

Trump kicked off his 12-day trip in Asia - the longest by any American president in a quarter of a century - with Japan, one of Washington's vital allies which is under threat from neighbouring North Korea.

Trump will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines between November 5 and November 14.

His trip got off to a colorful start in Hawaii. He was taken by boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial, where lies the Second World War ship that was sunk by the Japanese during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.

The Trumps tossed white flower petals into the waters at the memorial in honor of those who died at Pearl Harbor.

"We're in the midst of having very major discussions on many subjects, including North Korea and trade and we're doing very well", Trump told reporters in front of a restaurant in Tokyo alongside Abe.

"We'll be talking about trade", Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.

"Russia borders North Korea", the official said.

"I think it's expected we'll meet with Putin, yeah. There is a lot of good will".

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has expressed reservations at Trump's eagerness to take on North Korea, saying no aggression should take place on the Korean peninsula without his consent.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster indicated Trump will continue with his aggressive tone overseas as well.

"What's inflammatory is the North Korean regime and what they're doing to threaten the world", McMaster said.

North Korea's recent actions, including several missiles that flew over Japan and Pyongyang's sixth and largest nuclear test, have raised the stakes in the most critical global challenge of Mr Trump's presidency.

Trade will factor heavily during Trump's trip as he tries to persuade Asian allies to agree to trade policies more favorable to the United States.